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"This isn't 2008..." Are we lying to ourselves.

The common refrain from pundits is that the current explosive growth rate in home values in America is nothing like the Great Recession,...

What slows down a closing? Part 2: Lenders and Volume

Within every bank there may be a half dozen hands that your mortgage goes through, and every touchpoint is another possibility for delay....

Redlining Richmond: special video

Today, we recommend the recent work of Extra Credits: History, on the topic of redlining, featuring a story from Jackson Ward.

Escalation Clauses... Use them!

In this hot market, homes often sell above list price, and above fair market value, but that doesn't mean you have to assume that. Tell...

Why didn't my outhouse add value?!

Today we'll apply a thought experiment that you can use when considering adding features to your home to understand why some improvements...

Appraiser, how many times do you round?

Appraising is equal parts art and science many say, and there is some truth to it. It is common practice to round figures in an appraisal...

The Problem with HBU

Highest and Best Use analysis is a test that appraisers use in order to determine how to value real estate. However, there is an...

4 upgrades to make to your home

As we mentioned last week, information on what to/not to upgrade in your home is often contradictory. A recent review of national surveys...

Five upgrades to avoid in your home improvement

There are lots of studies that are thrown around on how much money you can expect from your investment in home improvements. Some of...

What slows down an closing? Part 1: Don't use an AMC

A closing is the culmination of the mortgage process. One of the step in that process is the appraisal, and since they're an independent...

Redlining Richmond, part 2

This week's blog should make you ill. The language that will be used will reference the actual history of redlining in the City of...

...and Spiking Home Values

The federal government has engaged in a policy designed to keep homeowners in their homes during the Covid-19 economic crisis. The intent...

How to Produce a Great CMA

Valuing real estate is often difficult. That's why a real estate appraiser receives 300 hours of education, 1500 hours of experience, and...

Property Inspection Waivers: Who gets sued?

For a borrower, a Property Inspection Waiver (PIW) sounds like a win-win. Lower cost, faster closing, what could go wrong?! Appraisers...

How long can prices increase?

With prices in parts of Richmond increasing at or near 10% per year currently, and portions of the United States seeing 20%+ increases,...

FHA 203K Rehab Loans

An FHA 203K Rehab loans can be a great tool for a home that needs a little, or a lot of work, but its not for every instance. Knowing the...

Lead Based Paint

The Flint water crisis of 2014-2019 (and that will continue for decades to come) exposed 6,000-12,000 children to drinking water with...

Zillow...

Is horrible. There is really no other way to put it. Zillow's algorithm is about as smart as a 5 year old - if you give them a list of...

If you see this, call an electrician immediately.

If your home was built between 1950-1990 (or rewired in that time frame) and you see this replace it, NOW. This is a latent fire hazard....

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